SKI JUMPING. 25 000 spectators at the "Schattenberg-hill" in Oberstdorf witnessed a fantastic ski jumping spectacular at the opening event of the 61st 4-Hills-Tournamnet. After an extremely exciting and dramatic final round, Norwegian Anders Jacobsen won ahead of Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT) and Severin Freund (GER).

Despite the very high level of the competition Jacobsen (138 m and 139 m; 308.6 points) was able to win 11.6 points ahead of Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer (134.5 m and 138.5 m; 297.0 points. "It was incredibly exciting today. Jumping in front of this huge crowd and with such an atmosphere in the stadium is fantastic. It's perfect to be in top shape on a day like this and show such a performance", Jacobsen was happy and impressed after his victory.

"Anders Jacobsen was an underdog here and he had nothing to lose, this was his big advantage. His victory was well-deserved", Austrian head coach Alexander Pointner said about the winner. Also second-placed Schlierenzauer was absolutely satisfied. "I had the feeling that I was extremely high and so I maybe ended the jump a bit too early. But I think I can be very satisfied with the start of the 4-Hills", he told.

Freund makes 25 000 fans happy

25 000 spectators celebrated the third place of Severin Freund (138.5 m and 135.5 m; 290.8 points). "The competition went great for me. I'm extremely happy. Jumping in front of so many spectators was amazing", the best German told after the event. In the wake of Freund Michael Neumayer (8th), Andreas Wellinger (10th), Richard Freitag (15th), Martin Schmitt (16th), Danny Queck (19th) and Maximilian Mechler (24th) achieved good results. A terrific team performance of the Germans.

Also the Russians had reason to celebrate: Dimitry Vassiliev finished fourth and his teammates Ilia Rosliakov and Denis Kornilov came in 20th and 23rd. The team definitely showed an upward trend.

Tom Hilde of Norway (281.3 points) and Swiss Simon Ammann (280.3 points) as fifth and sixth proved that they still have to be reckoned with in the fight for the overall title. After the beginning of the season didn't go that well for them, both seem to be in top shape right on time. With Rune Velta and Anders Bardal as ninth and eleventh the Norwegians showed the huge potential of their team.

Jaka Hvala finished on a good 12th place, best of the Polish team was Kamil Stoch as 13th.

Bad day for Morgenstern and Kofler

Two famous names of Austria had a very bad day in Oberstdorf: Thomas Morgenstern could not qualify for the final of the best 30 jumpers. Andreas Kofler was - as eighth in the final result - disqualified. Already for the second time this season his suit did not meet the requirements. Both losts their chances in the overall ranking of the 4-Hills-Tournament.

The 4-Hills-Tournament continues with the training and qualification in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Monday. Training starts at 11:45 am CET, the qualification round follows at 13:45 pm CET.

FISskijumping.com
30.12.2012 18:11